Tilting and locking device for steering wheels



R. S. BUSBY TIL'IING AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR STEERING WHEELS June 5,1923.

Original Filed June 25 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet, 1

attozwuf R. S. BUSBY TILTING AND LOCKING DEVICE FOR STEERING WHEELS June5, 1 923.

5 Sheets-Shet 2 Original Filed June 25, 1921 6H0: "up

June 5. 1923. 1,457,722

R. s. BUSBY TILTING AND'LOCKING DEVICE FOR STEERING WHEELS OriginalFiled June 25, 1921 5 Sheets-sheaf z 3 1 n Y 6a I H v gwuwtoz Rube-r1 5.E gily Patented June 5, 1923. r

UM BEUQSKATES item I mam-s. BUSB'Y; or mama-tie; rnoninii. TILTIV'NGYnit-n Loo zrne'nnvion iron Application :filedJJune 25; 1e21, Serial Huls 0, 313.

To all Mom z' 'lf mag concern Be it known that I, Bonnier,

SpBUssy; a citizen of the United 2 States,

and useful Improvements in Tilting. and Looking Devices for which-thefollowin is a specification;

This invention rel atesto tiltable and lockablesteering wheels for motorvehicles, and

is an improveinent -OI1"1T1y pending 7 applies tion filed June 17, 1921,Serial No.478,369,

and: theiprimary object of the present inventionis to. provide animproved and simple means for locking thezsteeringiwheel againststeering-irmovement when the same has been swung" into itstiltedpositiom'said means being soconstructed as to permit the wheel tobe readily locked and swung into tilted p0- sition irrespecti veof therelation of the front'steering wheels to-a curb and withoutnecessitating thB allgI-11ng Of a locking mime ber-with a recess orkeeper; 'as was necessary in my application above referred to.

A t'u'rther obj'ect of the invention is to provide an improved means forlocking the 1 :wherein similar reference characters-'desig-j gthroughout the; several views, the letter Aj'indic'ates a steersteeringwheelzjagainst' rotary movement when swung intoits tilted position,which on; one i of the 1 castings of the device for en'- gagement withlocking fingers formedon I the A rigid portion of the steering-columnorits shell-,said locking cam or lug-Qand fingersthe market, and theimproved attachment is? being so formed as to guide the wheel intothetilt'e'd and locked position;

A furtherobject of the invention is'to provide animproved means forassociating,

the *various working parts of the device toget-her, so that all wear onthe main parts of the, device will be eliminated, said means embodying,wear memberswhichcan be {replaced when necessary or desirable.

to-provide an improvedmean for securing thecap' of the "steeringgear'housin'g of the columnto thehous'ing, so' that s'aid means" orcertain'of said means will be always covcred-hythe casting, whereby theo a of v I by unauthorized persons claimed and illustratedsin theac gs;:f miilgwii 'partiof this. specifica-w residing. tatr Jacksonville; in-the county of .Duval and: State of Florida, have'invented.certainnewSteering, Wheels, of

r bolt, and which merely "-embocli'esa rigid locking cam or lug formed Astill further object'of the invention is casing'cap 1'3.

'int'erposed'between the boss fillddtllWCliP '13; The outer; surface ofthe" cap is providedu with a star shaped-locking member 19, which";

tion, in-which drawings:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of'thezim-a I ew i H I? "Iaenetvednprn20519239 companyingi proved tilting. device; the steeringwheel be 1 ing shown 1nsecti0n: ;an;d in fulllines in its";

operative position-and in dotted lines :inr'its 'inoperativeor.tiltedmpositioni:

the improved ments 1: of" the Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectionthrough: 05v I device showing, l the "arranges castings; in :zrelation 5to eachlfother whenthesteering wheel-is in its nor.-

1 mal position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to' Figure,

ed iposition. e

Figure 4 is a horizontal theline 44 ofFigure18.;v

Figure 5 is a rear elevationofithe-improved tilting andv locking deviceshowin'gthe upper casting swungto its tilt-r 1 section; taken: on

the improved device 'looking'inqthe opposite? direction from-Figure l. ri v Figure 7 is azplanyview'ofthe cap of the steering. gear housing; i gReferring. to the drawings "in detail,-

nate corresponding parts ingcolumii; B, a steering wheel'B are ofrtheordinary type, utilized Aia'nd the steering improved attachment 7 forconnecting-the in; a largernuinber of'niotor vehicles now on 4particularly aclapted for usea'in connection 1 therewith, although thedevice is and adaptable :toother 5 types" ofsteering wheels and columns:

for housin the steerin ear;

, i b b threaded as'fat 12 for the reception ofthe mg; annular flange 15which is internally? provided with anv axial boss 16, w'hich-' rotatably,receives thexj steering wheel stub'shattili'. If so desiredfi threaded,The cap 13 is a suitable wear member or hearing 18 cantbe The casingcap' 1-3 includes; a disc shaped'upper wall 14, and a dependrg I V iprojects outwardly from the outer face of the disc wall 1 1. This starshaped locking member 19 can be cast integral with the cap 13 if sodesired. As shown this locking member 19 includes a plurality ofradially extending points 20 which are gradually tapered toward theirouter ends defining V- shaped locking notches 21. The walls of thelocking notches 21 or the sides of the tapered fingers 20 are graduallyinclined downwardly and outwardly to define guiding surfaces, thepurpose of which will be hereinaf: ter more fully apparent. It can beseen that the cap 13 differs from the ordinary construction of cap inthat the same is provided with the star shaped locking member 19. Thesteering stub shaft 17 isoperatively connect ed by a suitable type ofplanetary gearing (not shown) with the main steering shaft. The steeringstub shaft 17 ordinarily receives the steering wheel B, but in thisinstance the improved-tilting and locking device 0 is interposed betweenthe wheel and. the steering stub shaft as is readily apparent byreferring to the drawings. The steering wheel B includes the spider 22,the axial hub 23, and the rim 2 1. It can be seen that the spider 22connects the hub 23 with the rim 24:. The hub 23 is provided with anaxial opening for the reception of the stud 25, which is carried by andforms a part of the improved tilting and locking device C. In theordinary structure, the hub 23 receives the ordinary stub steering shaft17.

Theimproved tilting and locking device C- includes an upper plate 26 anda lower plate 27, the means-D for holding the upper plate 26 and thesteering wheel B against accidental movement, and the novel means E forlocking the attachment and wheel against rotary and steering movementwhen in its tilted position.

The two plates 26 and 27 can be formed of any desired metal, such asaluminum or the like, and either cast in the desired form or machined tothe desired size and configuration.

The rear plate 27 includesa central boss or body28,which axiallyreceives the stub steering shaft 17 which is keyed in place by means ofa suitable key 29. The upper end of the steering rod or shaft 17 can beupset in order to prevent theremoval of the plate or. casting 23therefrom by unauthorized persons. The forward end of the plate orcasting 27 is slightly increased in width, and the forward edge thereofis provided with an inwardly extending notch 30. The inner wall of thenotch 30 is provided with keeper recess 31 the'purpose of which will behereinafter more fully described.

The opposite end of the plate or casting 27 isalso' increased in width,and has its outer wall or edge provided with an inwardly extending notch32, which defines inwardly of the cars 33 be completely hidden fro-mview outwardly extending pivot ears 33. This portion of the plate orcasting 27 directly outwardly extending enlargement 34, which receives aportion of the locking means D which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed. The outer plate 26 also includes a central boss whichreceives the stud 25, the inner end of which can be upset in or der toprevent the removal thereof from the plate or casting 26 by unauthorizedpersons. The stud 25 may be keyed or other wise secured to the platev26' as well as to the hub 23 of the wheel B.

The upper end of the stud can be reduced in diameter and threaded forthe reception of a cap nut 36, which can be pinned or eyed thereto if sodesired. The outer end of the plate 26 is provided with a dependinghinged barrel 37, which is adapted to lie between the pivot ears 33,.and a suitable pivot pin 38 is extended through the ears 33, and barrel37,

of. If so desirecha suitable wear member or hearing 39 can be insertedin the forward hinged barrel in order to prevent undue wear thereon. Theinner end of the plate 26 is provided with a depending forwardlyextending lug 40 which is adapted to fit in the notch 30. The lug 10 isprovided with a sleeve ll which slidably support the latch 12, which isadapted to engage the keeper recess 31 as described in my copendingapplication above refered to. r

The means D for locking the steering wheel in its tilted position issimilar to the locking means described'in my pending applicationheretobefore referred to, with the exception that the sliding locking.bolt &3 is arranged relatively closer to-the lower face of the plate 27,in order that the same will when the upper casting 26 swung to itstilted position. This prevents the sliding back of the bolt byunauthorized persons. The bolt 13 is mounted for movement longitudinallyof is provided with an the plate 27 in a bore 14 which can be pro-..

vided with a suitable wear lining or bearing 15. The bore is formed inthe plate 27 adjacent to one longitudinal side thereof and: opens outthrough the inner Wall of the notch 32. This bolt, 13 is normally urged.outwardly of the bore by means ofan ex pansion spring 46, which engagesthe inner;

wall of the bore and the inner end ofthe; bolt. The hinged barrel 37isprovided with, y

the bolt 13 will be forced into the keeper. rece'ss'47 byinieans oftheispringsz46; andgthatzthe plate .26'and the steering wheel will beautomatically locked in-their tilted position. In order to hold the;bolt 43 against movementiwhen in: its locked I position; an ordinary.pin tumbler mechanism149is provided. This mechanism. is car.- ried lbythe-lug 34 and extends transversely of :the plate 27, as clearly "shownvinFigure' 4 of 'theidrawings. The-pin coupler mechanism 49iisrof-theusual or. any preferred make or construction, and includes the shell 50'which can be heldagainst' movement by meansofisuitable pins 52.' Theshell 51 receives .the ordinary revoluble'plug 53, which is providedwith a key way 54'for the receptionof avkeyv-55. The key 55 serves toactuate the usual pin tumblers and their complement drivers:(notshown.).. The in-' ner end of the p 1uglL53-carries a cam 56,whichis'fitted in a suitable notch 47 formed:- in the bolt 43. It canbeseen that when the correct key 55 isinserted in:-the key way andtheplugi-is-turned, thatthe cam 56 will engagethe rear wall of the notch57 in the bolt 43 and force the-bolt43 inwardly and permit'the plate 26to'beswung to its normal-abuttingposition in engagement with. theupperfaceof the-lower plate 27.; VVhen' the plate is moved ."tOMltSlowered position,

the same isheld 'againstiaccidental movement by means of they latch 42as heretobew fore stated. I

The means E for preventing the turning of the device G and thesteering'wheel B' when the upper plate orcasting 26 is in its"tiltedposition with thesteering wheel B, in-; cludes a cam or.lockinglug:60,-nwhich is formed on'theouter-surface; of the hinged"barrel 37 at" the central; portion thereof. This lockingcam or'lug, 60isof substantially a V-"shape and has its, opposite sides gradually:tapered as at 61' to "form the pointed end 62, which is adapted torideinto any one of the V-shaped notches 21 defined by the taperedfingers 20 of thest-arshaped locking members 19.

It can be'seen thatwhen the casting or outer plate 26 is swungto-itstilted position" the locking cam or lug 60 will be movedin between thefingers 20 of the locking device. 19 "and thus the steering Wheel willbe held against turning or steering movement. If the lug 60 is not indirect alignment with a notch defined by the fingers 20, the inclinedsides 61 of the cam or lug 60 will engage the inclined sides 21 of thefingers 20 and the cam will be guided into a locking position. Thisentirely eliminates the necessit-y of aligning the lug with the lockingnotches or recesses. This construction also permits the steering wheelto be readily locked in position if the front. steering wheels of thevehicle have been driven into engagement with the side of a curb orother attachment therefor'interposed between; wheel and shaft includinga pair of hingedly -109 'ber carrying.- the wheel for engagingcertainai10 therefor interposed between the wheel and stop; asl-heretobeforeustatedj asiit is'i-no'f, m essa to. alignnthex lug-.& 60withutherlocki'ngir notches.

In order toiprevent the removal ofthei capb 13 from. the shell 11 by:unauthorizedw pieri'i 17 sons,- suitable retainingz-pins 65-.-are"=inserltedu in the :cap; in engagement witht-the I threads 2* ofthe :cap and the threads formedlona'the; shellill, These 'pins aresodisposeduthat certain @0f *the :samewill bet-- covered :by this 76Klocking device G irrespective; of thevposi-tione thereof :during, theturning; movement of tha steeringwheel: Thus :the pins will be; pres:vvented from: being engaged by f a-ftool' ora'the: likeq 80% From theforegoingdescription;- it can; be: seen th'ati' an exceptionally; simpleands, durable means has been provided i-for locks. ing.-: the steering1wheel-against-: steering to .its tilted position,: and which wentirely;eliminates the. provision of; :sliding locking} bolts or the like:wThewprovision of? the; locking camorlugtob'efore been possible-in my;other 'structune Changes in details may be? made rwithout departing.from the spirit or scope of thisjv; invention; but;

I claim 1 v o 1 951)}; 1. In a steering device,- the combination;withwausteering column including .-.a -shell a;-. steering shaft and :asteering wheel; .0 1 1n connected normally abutting members the members,being connected respectively with the. steering shaft'and wheel,wherebythe steering wheel-is permitted :to;be swung to 11 tiltedposition in relation to'the steer ing columnylocking members: formedon;the;- shellat spaced points aroundthe-,same, anda rigidlocking memberi'formed on' the rmemg of the locking memberscarried by the steer ing,shell when the steering; wheel ris swung to atilted fpositionirrespectivegofthe posi tion' of the I steering wheel in relation-ate?the; colunim whereby steering movement of' the' Wheel will be absolutelyprecluded -w-henfthe steering wheel is moved to itsvtilted -positions' I'2. Ina steering device, the combination with a steering columnincluding a shell, a shaft and a steering wheel, of an attachment shaftincluding a pair of hingedly connected normally abutting members, themembers being connected respectively with the steering shaft andsteering wheel, whereby the steering wheel is permitted to be swung to a'piv-g oted position in relation to said column, looking means forpreventing swinging movement of the members in relation to each otherwhen the steering wheel has been 60- also permitthewheel; '7 Y B to beswung back furtherthan;ihasihere llmr swung to its tilted position,rigid abutments formed at spaced points around the shell, and a rigidlocking lug formed on the outer member for engaging with certain of theabutments irrespective of the positionof the steering wheel to the shellwhen the steering wheel has been swung to its tilted position to preventsteering movement thereof.

3. In a steering device, the combination with a steering columnincluding a shell, a steering shaft, a cap for the upper end of theshell, and a steering wheel, of a pair of hingedly connected membersinterposed between the steering wheel and the steering shaft forconnection respectively with the wheel and shaft whereby the wheel ispermitted to be swung to a tilted position in relation to the column,means for holding the members against swinging movement when thesteering wheel has been swung to its tilted position, a star shapedlocking member disposed on the upper surface of the cap of the shelldefining a plurality of V-shaped notches, and a rigid locking cam formedon the outermost locking member arranged to extend in any one of saidnotches when the steering wheel is swung to its tilted position.

4. In a steering device, the combination with a steering columnincluding a shell, a steering shaft, a cap for the upper end of theshell and a steering wheel, of a pair of hingedly connected membersinterposed between the wheel and the steering shaft for shaft, wherebythe steering wheel is permitted to be swung to a tilted position withrelation to the column, a locking device for holding the members againstmovement when the wheel is swung to its tilted position, a star shapedlocking member formed on the upper surface of the cap including aplurality of tapered fingers having inclined sides, and acam memberhaving tapered connection respectively with the wheel and bersinterposed between the wheel and steering shaft for connectionrespectively with the wheel and shaft whereby the steering wheel will bepermitted to be swung to tilted position in relation to the column, thecap having locking notches formed therein, and a cam formed on theoutermost member arranged .to lit in any one of said notches when thesteering wheel is swung to its tilted position, the members beingadapted to overlie certain of the locking pins irrespective of theposition of the steering wheel, whereby the removal of the cap byunauthorized persons will be eliminated.

6. In a steering device, the combination with a steering columnincluding a shell, a shaft, a cap for the upperend of the shell,anda'steering wheel, of a pair of hingedly connected members interposedbetween the wheel and the shaft for connection respectively with thewheel and shaft whereby the steering wheel will be permitted to be swungto a tilted position in relation to the column, the inner member havinga pair of pivot cars formed thereon, the outer member having a dependinghinged barrel arranged between the ears, a wear member interposed in thebore of the hinged barrel, a pivot pin fitted in the wear member, andthe pivot ears, means formed on the outer member for engaging the capwhen the steering wheel is swung to its tilted position, means forlocking the steering wheel against steering movement when swung to itstilted position including a sliding bolt carried by the inner member,the inner member having a bore arranged to receive said bolt, a wearmember fitted in the bore for the bolt, a. vrey operated means foractuating the bolt, the hinged barrel having a keeper recess formedtherein, and a wear member ar ranged in the keeper recess, arranged toreceive the outer end of the locking bolt when the steering wheel isswung to its tilted position.

ROBERT S. BUSBY.

